Summer Adventures: part1

The summer has just rolled by, but not without a few excursions.

We've been making the most of our opportunities to enjoy the 3 months of dry weather we get here in southwest Oregon.

My other half has been largely out of town, which has made ultra training..

..challenging. A family camping trip to the Steamboat Creek section of the North Umpqua made a perfect opportunity to combine interests. A little fun for the kids, a little running for mom, and a chance to spend time with us, (and the bugs) , for dad ☺

We camped someplace awesome. But this is not it ^ ☺

(This tent would not hold all my gear, let alone sleep 5.)

Early on Saturday morning, my friends (who like to get up at 4 am) drove up from Roseburg and met me for a run. 

You can't complain about friends who are willing to come to their favorite running trail just to run with you when you are camping!

These girls wear me out.

Just don't call them old ladies. Kristen and Stacie are seasoned masters runners. 

My 50k race plan involves tying a rope to them and holding on tight. 

We were recovering from some tough runs the weekend before, so kept it shortish that day. The Panther segment of the #NUT is pretty and I like it because it only feels uphill going upriver, usually :D

See!? It is downhill! ^  (Photo by Stacie)

An incredible morning, even with smoke in the air from a fire near Diamond lake.

Green 12 months a year...

A few hours spent in my Altras, and I was back to camp by 8:30am to see the kiddos happily eating all my breakfast cookies.

***

 The hubby and kids and I did some exploring and hiking on the second day. I really wanted to show them Tokatee Falls, which I had seen on a different run up the NUT.

The hike to the falls is short from the parking lot, but has lots of steps.

This is just before the falls. You can see Tokatee Falls on this earlier post.

Later in the day, we drove to another spot farther upriver, to a segment called Dread and Terror. There were 2 other falls listed on a map within a mile of the trail head, so we thought we'd hike to them.

It was a hot day, and when we found the falls, it was so nice to be able to actually stand in the spray to cool off!

After that, we noticed a little tent village next to the falls, and were curious why so many people were camping a mile from the trail head.

Then we figured it out: Hot springs.

They were right across the river! And the river (though cold) was shallow enough for us to forge. So.. we did. The hot springs were on the map, along with another trail. My hubby and I had purposefully avoided them, but once we saw them we changed our minds. I am glad we did, as they felt great after the run the day before.

These are the lower springs, right on the river. The temp here is about 100f, but the ones above are much warmer!

**Please note, if you visit these springs, clothing is optional.. the lower springs were mostly children and mostly clothed, but the people at the upper springs were fully embracing their "freedom", about 1/2 had any clothing on.. mostly the ladies ;)

After the springs, we had a short hike back and a long drive to get home, where it felt like heaven to sleep in our own beds.

Have you had any summer adventures?
Been doing any trail running?
Ever been to a natural hot spring?